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What do Fossil Fuels Power?
Through combustion chemical reactions, fossil fuels power a massive variety of different devices all around the world in many different fields. Fossil fuels form from the decomposed remains of organic materials that lived millions of years ago and contain large quantities of carbon and hydrocarbons. Fossil fuels contain large amounts of energy that are released when they are burned, allowing them to power many different manmade devices. The energy provided by fossil fuels is contained in the chemical bonds of the hydrocarbons; when the bonds are broken, the energy is released.
Fossil fuels power many things that are visible all across the world. Automobiles are among the most visible examples; in many cities, the streets are regularly crowded with cars burning fossil fuels in the form of gasoline. Fossil fuels power other forms of transportation, such as boats and airplanes, as well. Coal is a fossil fuel that has been burned since before recorded history to provide energy or heat for many different purposes, such as melting metal ores. Natural gas is another fossil fuel that is used for many different purposes, such as heating homes.
Those involved in industry and manufacturing rely heavily on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels power many different factories that produce any number of different things, from paper to chemicals. They are also burned to provide electricity for electrical companies. The chemical energy is converted to electrical energy and sent where it is needed. Before fossil fuels provided energy for industry, windmills or watermills served that purpose; as more effective ways to utilize the clean energy of the wind and water, such forms of power are again becoming prominent.
Though fossil fuels power many different things and are well integrated into a wide range of industries, there are many disadvantages to fossil fuels that cause people to look for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy. The combustion of fossil fuels releases fumes into the air that harm both the environment and living organisms. Coal is commonly used for energy production, but it can be dangerous to mine. Oil can also be difficult to procure, as it exists beneath the ground. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources, meaning that, eventually, people will use all of the available fossil fuels on Earth.
Despite the disadvantages, fossil fuels power devices and provide energy on a massive scale. There are many fossil fuel advantages that draw people and companies to the limited and dirty energy source. Fossil fuels do contain large amounts of energy that is easy to use. In addition, they are not incredibly difficult to transport once they are brought up from the ground.
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![A stove burner that works on natural gas.]()
A stove burner that works on natural gas. -
![Most vehicles use fossil fuels.]()
By: Anna LuryeMost vehicles use fossil fuels.
Discussion Comments
@FrameMaker: Yes, we need energy 24 hours a day, but there are times when we do not use as much.
However, if you can store energy when electricity is at its low points (i.e. 12 a.m.), then you can use it another time. Figuring out how to store the energy is the leading concern, in my opinion. If we can store it, then we will not need to build more plants.
Does anyone know of any substitutes for the other things fossil fuels produce besides liquid fuels? Are there any viable substitutes for things like asphalt, lubricants, plastics and other similar products? I am just curious as to how these things will be replaced as oil becomes more scarce. It seems like all of the talk is about renewable fuels, but what about renewable substitutes for these other goods?
@Babalaas- I suppose you could just decommission the boiler in a power plant and replace it with either a solar thermal boiler system or a biomass fuel digester/boiler. There is one problem with this theory though. When you convert a plant, you are not adding new capacity. In the case of thermal solar, you are also replacing a plant that can produce electricity 24 hours a day with one that produces peak capacity for much shorter periods.
I think the more practical solution is to create new plants to meet capacity, and implement energy conservation strategies. All of the power plants online now are necessary so it would not be practical to replace them until electricity demand decreases. This is just my opinion though.
Is it possible to convert a fossil fuel burning power plant to an alternative energy power plant? I know not all types of plants can be converted, but I am thinking along the lines of converting a fossil fuel plant to a solar thermal or biomass power plant. It seems like this would be a cost effective way to replace existing fossil fuel plants than to simply decommission them when the time comes.
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